My Hometown: Nanushka Creative Director Sandra Sándor’s Budapest – “It’s A Melting Pot Of Culture”
Last weekend’s New York Fashion Week marked the highly anticipated debut of Budapest-based brand Nanushka, and the label’s 20-year anniversary. Renowned for its signature vegan leathers, clean silhouettes and soothing palette of creams and rich chocolates, Nanushka has steadily climbed the ranks since its founding in 2005, and is now a staple on many wish lists.
At the helm is creative director and founder Sandra Sándor, who was born and bred in Budapest, Hungary. “There truly is no city like Budapest,” she says. “For me, Budapest is the definition of a juxtaposition of cultures. Every ruling empire has made its mark on the city at some point in history, making it a melting pot for Eastern and Western culture, design, art, and history. It’s a constant inspiration for me.”
Immediately you can see how Sándor reflects this cultural blend in Nanushka’s designs, with Eastern and Western influences woven together through her prints, fabrics and silhouettes. “One of the biggest benefits of being Budapest-based is that I’m surrounded by my Hungarian roots and history every day. And one of the biggest sources of inspiration is translated into our house Kopjafa symbols, originating from a 16th-century tradition across Hungary and Transylvania, which we launched last year,” Sándor explains.
Service95’s Pia Brynteson sits down with the fashion founder to discuss creative life in Budapest – and click here for her insider’s guide to the city, as someone who truly knows it best…
08.08.2024
What Was It Like Growing Up In Budapest? Do You Have Any Standout Memories? I was born and raised in Budapest. I spent my childhood in Tóth Árpád Sétány in the castle district and this has heavily influenced my love for nature and old-world charm. But my favourite memories really come from my mother’s childrenswear business that she had throughout my childhood. Spending days in her atelier and modelling for the business is where my love for design was born.
What Does An Average Working Day Look Like As A Designer In Budapest? My son Samu is quite the morning person and likes to wake me up very early. It usually follows with morning meditation and yoga, then I take my dog Ginie out for a walk. I like to read in the morning and do most of my creative processes before noon at the design studio at our head office in Budapest, as I feel that is when my brain works the best. Then a light lunch and the afternoon is usually filled with many meetings with my design and creative team. After work, Peter (my husband) and I usually cook something together for dinner and enjoy it as a family – we are huge foodies.
Where Do You Go To Find Inspiration In Budapest? Falk Miksa Utca is a beautiful street just off from the Hungarian Parliament building (we describe it as ‘the heat of the art trade’ in Budapest), which is perfect for vintage furniture shopping and finding rare antiques. The tree-lined street is also home to some of the city’s best art galleries, so I visit often for a boost of inspiration. Kieselbach Gallery always has a great curated selection of Hungarian art.
What Misconceptions About Your City Would You Like To Set Straight?The first impression many tourists have of Budapest is its famous nightlife. In reality, the ancient baths, museums and galleries and the gastronomy scene (there’s a growing number of Michelin star restaurants focusing on local and seasonal produce) are all parts of what the city – and Hungary itself as a country – are very famous for. There is an infinite amount of cultural exploration around the city, which I think lots of people forget about.
READ: Where To Eat, Drink, See & Do In Budapest, With Nanushka Creative Dirctor Sandra Sándor
Pia Brynteson is Content Editor at Service95
